Japanese Bobtail Cats
Cat Facts

Japanese Bobtail cats are domestic cats that have the cutest bunny-type pompom tails. They are not tailless cats. The short tail is due to a genetic mutation caused by a recessive autosomal gene. In the early days, it was believed that the Manx Cat and the Japanese Bob were related. This has been disproved, the mutation that results in the tailless Manx is a separate mutation.

The Japanese Bobtail has a medium sized body that is long and lean with straight lines. It is well muscled with medium boning and certainly not dainty. It should be slender, not cobby or flabby. The legs compliment the torso and are long and slender, but not fragile or delicate. The hind legs are longer than the forelegs and the paws are oval in shape.

The tail is its signature trait. Each cat has a clearly visible and unique tail - it can be curved, angled or straight. The bone in the tail is rigid and strong except for the base of the tail. The hair on the tail grows outwards in all directions and creates a pom-pom or 'bunny tail'. When fully extended the tail can be 4 to 5 inches (10 - 13 cm) long.

Whilst the head may appear long and chiseled, it is in fact a perfect equilateral triangle, with soft curves. The cheekbones are high, the muzzle broad but not pointed or blunt, the nose is well defined and long and in profile the nose has a gentle dip in it. The male Japanese Bobtail cat may have jowls. The eyes are large, wide-open and oval in shape and set at a slant. Eye color must be deep and vivid and correspond to coat color. Colors range from blue, green, odd-eyes and copper. Japanese Bobtail cats have large, wide set ears that do tilt slightly forward.

Whilst they come in a variety of colors, the most sort after are the Bi-color and Tri-color cats. The Mi-Ke is a tri-color consisting of black, reddish-brown and white and is the most prized color. Irrespective of pattern, all colors must be clear, even and well marked.

Shorthaired: They have medium to short coats, with no noticeable undercoat. The hair should be soft and silky.

Longhaired: They have semi-long coats, with no noticeable undercoat. The hair should be soft and silky. The hair lies close to the body and they generally have ear and toe tufts and a frontal ruff.

Check all breeds of cat breed standards in your country

Personality and Temperament

The Japanese Bobtailed cat is not for someone wanting a docile lap cat. These are active cats that love exploring and are curious about their environment. They are lively, sociable extroverts with a strong personality. You will never be lonely with one these cats as a companion. They are very 'talkative' with a wide range of scales and tones in their voices.

In many ways they are quite dog-like. They love to carry toys in their mouth, play fetch and most of all they love to splash in water. Whilst they could be described as very independent, this does not mean they don't need company. To the contrary, these cats are loving and affectionate and they adore human company. They do not tolerate solitude.

Whilst they can adapt to apartment living, it is important to prevent boredom. Creating an adventure zone for your indoor cat is a must. By this we mean an area filled with toys, scratching posts, cat gyms and areas to play hide-and-seek. A single cat is a lonely cat, so do consider having two for company.

Japanese Bobtail Cat Information

Would they suit a home with Children?

Yes. Smaller children do need to be taught to be gentle with kittens and adult cats. Cats should always have their hind legs supported when held.

Are they Pet Friendly?

Yes - spayed/neutered cats get on well with all pets, cats and dogs. It's always best to supervise the introduction of a new pet. Do it gradually so that none of the pets feel threatened.

What is the Ideal Home for the Japanese Bobtail Cat?

Japanese Bobtail cats are suited to outdoor or indoor living. They can adapt to indoor living, but it's important to provide a suitable cat friendly environment for them. Many breeders have contracts that stipulate that the cat must be kept indoors only.

Cat Grooming and Cat Care

Whilst the longhaired version of the cat will require a daily brush, they are generally low maintenance cat breeds that require minimal grooming. Shorthaired Japanese Bobtails are low maintenance cats. Their coats need to be brushed once a week. In Spring, they do shed more and require additional brushing.

A healthy well balanced diet, frequent exercise, vaccinations, good dental hygiene and annual check-ups will result in you having the company of your precious cat for many years.

For complete cat grooming advice visit our chapter on cat care.

Japanese Bobtail Health Concerns

The Japanese Bobtail is a healthy cat breed. Apart from the normal preventable infectious feline diseases that all cats are susceptible to this cat does not suffer from any genetic or hereditary diseases sometimes found in the tailless cats.

Always consider cat insurance for your cat, you never know when it may be needed.

Cat Nutrition

No special diet is needed. Having said that, the longhaired version of the Japanese Bobtail may benefit from a special diet that reduces hairballs.

A well balanced diet and high quality cat food is essential - you need to decide which route to follow - kibbles, raw cat food or canned cat food. Always ensure that your kitty has access to fresh, clean drinking water.

What is the average weight of the Japanese Bobtail Cat?

Males are generally heavier than the female cats. The average weight of these cats is between 2.5 kg - 4.0 kg (5.5 lbs - 8.8 lbs)

What is their Life Span?

They have an average life expectancy of 12 + years. You can extend your cat's life - find out more about this in our chapter on how long do cats live.

Related Cat Pages:

Japanese Bobtail Kittens - Cat Breeder Directory

Japanese Bobtail - the history, origin and myths about this short-tailed cat

Japanese Bobtail Cat Pictures provided by:

Top & Bottom: Photographer: Larry Johnson of ©Johnson Photography

Lorna Dawn Friemoth of NuDawnz Cattery Japanese & American Bobtails, Colorpoint SH, and Exotics; Japanese Bobtail LH GPNW NuDawnz Kigenwotoru

Center: © Marianne Clark of Kurisumasu - www.kurisumasu.org